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SUMMARY OF PROGRAM Provide the vision and mission of the State E&T program. In addition, describe how your State agency's E&T program meets the purpose of E&T which is to: Increase the ability of SNAP participants to obtain regular employment Meet State or local workforce needs Mission: Oregon’s Self Sufficiency Programs (SSP) mission is to provide a safety net, family stability, and a connection to careers that guide families out of poverty. The focus of Oregon’s SNAP E&T program specifically is to assist SNAP recipients in meeting work participation requirements and improve skills that can lead to career development and financial independence. Scope: Oregon has two types of voluntary SNAP E&T programs: STEP and the ABAWD program. There are no mandatory programs in Oregon. ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents): As a result of the Debt Ceiling Bill of 2023 ending the ability for states to roll over discretionary exemptions (DE’s), in FFY 2025 Oregon spent down most of the available DE’s. From October 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025, all individuals with an ABAWD status were either exempt, waived, or utilized a DE. As a result of the utilization of county-wide DE’s during the aforementioned time period in Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill counties, Oregon used most of the available DE’s and restarted SNAP Time Limits in these counties effective September 1, 2025. The impacted individuals were notified via mail of their options to meet work requirements through working, volunteering, bartering, or engaging in a SNAP E&T program, or to report an exemption to the ODHS ABAWD Team. Additionally, the Oregon Employment Department has agreed to offer ABAWD information sessions and Orientations in September to support individuals with an ABAWD status in building their ABAWD case plans to be implemented October 1, 2025. • Effective October 1, 2025, Oregon will offer ABAWD services through a contract with the Oregon Employment Department, in the following counties: Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill. The remaining areas of the state will be utilizing the ABAWD Waiver. • Effective January 1, 2026, Oregon plans to offer ABAWD services in all counties and is requesting an ABAWD Waiver for Tribal Lands. Individuals who have an ABAWD status and meet one of the following two criteria, will be given a discretionary exemption: • Foster care parents who choose to not have their foster children on their SNAP case, or • Individuals who are not authorized to work in the United States. SNAP 50/50: STEP (SNAP Training and Employment Program): STEP provides enhanced E&T services to SNAP participants. In Oregon, the program started in 2013 with two providers and has greatly expanded over the years to include STEP Providers in every county of the state. SNAP E&T Services: ODHS (Oregon Department of Human Services) contracts with statewide and local providers for services to support all SNAP E&T participants. As Part of its mission, the Oregon Department of Human Services, Self-Sufficiency Programs assist Oregonians in connecting to careers that guide them out of poverty. This mission is partially accomplished 1/29/26, 9:33 AM State Plan OR FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-orfy26stateplan//index.html 3/378